Luxury Mauritius Itineraries

When Mark Twain remarked “Mauritius was made first and then heaven, heaven being copied after Mauritius”, he was not being as hyperbolic as you might think.

Located 2000 km east of the African mainland, Mauritius is ensconced by the warm waters of the Indian Ocean, and boasts every quality you’d expect from a paradise island, from white powder beaches to sapphire seas and verdant jungles.

With over 177km of untouched coastline, you are guaranteed to find those secluded bays, pristine coral reefs and glistening waves that create the perfect island escape. Journey deeper into the island’s interior, though, and you will discover verdant jungles, impressive mountain outcrops and cascading waterfalls that tick all the boxes of a tropical getaway.

Along with its good looks, Mauritius also boasts real personality, making a holiday here much more about immersing yourself in island life than escaping reality entirely. Home to just over a million inhabitants, Mauritius is a diverse tapestry of Indian, African, French and Chinese heritage, all woven together in a colourful cultural scene.

From the hustle and bustle of Port Louis, the island’s capital, to the quaint fishing villages of the south, Mauritian culture is vibrant and immersive, and locals welcome visitors to their home with open arms.

Whether you see yourself spending your holiday sailing on the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean, snorkelling with turtles and tropical fish, or simply relaxing on the beach, Mauritius embodies everything that luxury travel is about.

Our expert concierge team will work closely to create an experience that fits your vision, whether it’s organising a private boat to reach one of the smaller islands, or a wildlife-watching excursion deep in the jungle.

Mauritius Resorts

Here at Inspiring Travel Company, we are dedicated to selecting the very best hotels and resorts that promise to make every second of your holiday special. However, the islands’ wide range of fantastic luxury resorts makes our job very easy! In this magical destination, there truly is the perfect resort for every traveller - whatever paradise means to you, there’s no doubt that you will find it here.

Explorative souls looking for a serene retreat should head to The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius, an exclusive enclave surrounded by luscious flora leading onto a golden beachfront with a peaceful private pool. Located close to Turtle Bay and its highly-reputed PADI dive centre, this is the perfect choice for those who seek a fine balance between adventure and relaxation.

Alternatively, if you’re a fan of golfing, you will love the Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort and Spa, which boasts 200 stunning abodes just a short boat ride away from the Île aux Cerfs, where you can find a golf club with one of the world’s most spectacular fairways.

After a day on the green, head over to explore the Sagar Shiv Mandir Hindu temple, or simply spend the evening watching the sunset over the Indian Ocean with a cocktail in hand at the Constance Prince Maurice resort.

Highlights of Mauritius

There are myriad captivating things to see and do in Mauritius, meaning that any kind of traveller will be rewarded with unique experiences here, whatever their interests. Your glamourous holiday in Mauritius will most likely begin in the capital, Port Louis. This vibrant city is well worth a day trip, where you can explore the striking colonial architecture, bustling Chinatown and scout out some bargains at the famous central market.

When you’re ready for some respite, take a visit to the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens. These gorgeous gardens are overflowing with verdant tropical flora, featuring unusual plant species such as the giant Victoria amazonica water lily. Wandering the exquisite grounds, you will encounter giant tortoises, rare birds and much more.

Those in search of nature and history intertwined should book a tailor-made tour of the famous Le Morne Brabant mountain. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an icon of Mauritius, and has a dark history which, to this day, symbolises the fight for freedom from slavery. You can either hike around the base of the mountain, or even book a day of guided climbing to reach its summit for some of the best views of the island around.

And, of course, there are the beaches. Whether you’re booking that dream luxury honeymoon or a family holiday, you will find endless beaches to fit your vision.

The most iconic beach in Mauritius is Flic-en-Flac beach, with its endless white sand expanses and cerulean waves gently caressing the shore. This is an unrivalled spot for basking in the sun, but you can also enjoy the buzzing local culture, with regular music and dance performances and street food vendors gathering here daily. Whether you plan to swim, snorkel, scuba dive or sunbathe, there’s no better place to do it than in Mauritius.

Flight Duration: The average duration of a flight from London to Mauritius is 12 hours.

Currency: The local currency is the Mauritian rupee (MUR). However, you should take GBP with you and exchange it to the local currency when you arrive for the best conversion rates.

Capital: Port Louis is the capital of Mauritius.

Language: The official languages of Mauritius are English and French. Most local people also speak a Creole language, which combines French, English and influences from African dialects.

Visa Info: British passport holders do not need a visa to travel to Mauritius. When you arrive, your passport will be stamped, allowing you to stay in the country for up to 60 days.

Voltage: The voltage in Mauritius is 220V 50Hz AC.

Best time to travel: Mauritius enjoys a tropical, warm climate throughout the year, making it the perfect destination for travellers in search of winter sun. Generally-speaking, the seasons in Mauritius are the opposite of those in the UK, with summer running from November to April, and winter stretching from May to October. Summer is the hotter, rainy season, whereas winter is still nice and warm, but dry and less humid.

However, as a small island state, Mauritius can experience somewhat unpredictable weather. The topography of the island also cultivates various microclimates, so even if it’s sunny on the beach, it may well be cloudy in the mountains!

May to December is the best time to visit Mauritius, as temperatures are comfortable and the weather is mostly dry. The months between January and March are best avoided, as this is the peak cyclone season.

Location: Mauritius is a small island in the Indian Ocean to the east of Madagascar. It belongs to the Mascarene archipelago, and its nearest continent is Africa. You can reach Mauritius via both direct flights to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport - the one airport on the mainland - or with a stop at a major transfer airport.

When you arrive at the airport, you will be met by one of our representatives and transferred to your hotel of choice. If you wish to visit the smaller island of Rodrigues, you can either take a 36- hour ferry, which runs once a week, or - the much quicker option - take a short flight to the island’s domestic airport.

Snorkel at Turtle Bay

Any luxury holiday in Mauritius should include time spent experiencing the enchanting underwater world of the Indian Ocean. Mauritius is almost completely encircled by beautiful coral reefs, making it a brilliant destination for scuba diving and snorkelling. Take a trip to Turtle Bay to enjoy world-class snorkelling, or even learn to dive at the PADI-certified Maritim Diving Centre. You will encounter all manner of fascinating creatures, from turtles (of course!) to rare tropical fish and corals.

Seek a thrill with watersports - with the wonder of whale-watching!

Of course, you can also enjoy all manner of watersports activities on the shores of the islands, whether it be a serene afternoon of stand-up paddleboarding, or a thrilling taste of paragliding. With endless untouched islets off the mainland, a whole trip could be spent taking relaxing boat trips between the idyllic isles. Sail around Tamarin in search of friendly bottlenose dolphins, or venture further to spot whales living peacefully in the open ocean.

Hike in spectacular Black River Gorges National Park

Back on dry land, there is much to discover. Take a trip to Black River Gorges National Park to find the country’s most spectacular hiking. Immerse yourself in the hum of nature as you walk through the rolling hills and thick forest past cascading waterfalls, looking out for tropical birds such as the endangered Mauritian kestrel flying high above the treetops.

Marvel at the rainbow dunes of Chamarel

Another absolute must-visit during your luxury trip to Mauritius is a day excursion to the seven-coloured dunes of Chamarel. At this unique geopark, you can observe the other-worldly natural phenomenon of these rainbow-hued dunes, with its undulating sand in shades of red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow. Spend a day wandering around the stunning park, and make sure to stop off at Chamarel Waterfall - the highest single-drop waterfall in the country, dropping around 100m from the jungle into a dazzling plunge pool.

Thanks to the island’s multicultural history, Mauritius enjoys a rich and varied culinary scene. Over the course of its history, Mauritius has been inhabited by groups from Africa, India, China, France and beyond, with each community contributing flavours and dishes to the national cuisine.

Much of Mauritian food is meat-free to accommodate the large Hindu population, so vegetarians and vegans will find plenty of delectable dishes to enjoy during their stay. However, if you do enjoy meat and fish, you will find some of the most delicious varieties here.

As an island in one of the most bountiful oceans in the world, Mauritius also enjoys fantastic fresh seafood, which you can enjoy as served or in a traditional seafood curry with noodles. Local Mauritians will attest that every dish ought to include at least a little chilli for it to be an authentic affair. But if you’re not a fan of spice, don’t worry - there are endless dishes to choose from - with and without heat!

One dish that you absolutely must try on your luxury Mauritius holiday is ‘dholl puri’. Also called ‘dhal poori’, this tasty item is a soft pancake made with ground yellow split pea flour, stuffed with delicious bean curry, wild herbs, tomatoes and much more.

Across Mauritius, there are countless incredible restaurants to visit. Beach Rouge is one of the highest-rated restaurants in Mauritius, and serves fantastic Mediterannean-inspired seafood with a fine dining twist. For something a little more local-inspired, visit Escale Creole, a family-run restaurant where everything from curries to desserts are cooked fresh using home-grown ingredients.

The street food of Mauritius is also well worth sampling - look out for pineapple slices in a chilli sauce, fried noodles and Indian snacks. For those in search of a tipple, you will find plenty of mouth-watering cocktails mixed using the national drink of rum. The national beer is called Phoenix, and is served in most locations.

Mauritius’ multicultural history also means that the country enjoys a diverse calendar of events and festivals, some of which you will be able to experience during your holiday. Throughout the year, different communities in Mauritius celebrate festivals from a variety of religious backgrounds, whether it be Eid-al-Fitr in the Muslim community, Christmas and Easter among Christians, or Diwali among Hindus.

Grand Bassin Lake pilgrimage and Holi

Hindu festivals are among the most popular in Mauritius. The biggest festival in the country is the Hindu pilgrimage to the sacred Grand Bassin Lake in February of March. During March, you will be able to join in the festivities of Holi, where colourful powders are thrown and celebrations are had on every street in the country.

Thimithi and Cavadee

One of the most popular festivals among visitors is Thimithi. Also known as the Walk of Fire, this Tamil festival involves ten days of fasting, and culminates in devotees walking barefoot across a burning pit of coal outside a temple to prove their dedication. Cavadee is another Tamil festival that enjoys much fervour. If you visit during this period, you are likely to see countless kavadis - wooden boxes decorated with peacock feathers, flowers and idols - being carried to the local temple.

Harvest festival

Among the Chinese community in the Mauritius islands, the harvest festival is a big hit. This celebration occurs in mid-autumn, and is also called the Moon festival, because people often use it to make traditional offerings to the moon goddess. In St. Louis and many other cities across the islands during this festival, you will encounter mooncakes and various other decorations.